CHAPTER THREE.
"Here she is now, the birthday girl!" Keith laughed as Naomi sighed loudly.
"I don't want a fucking big to-do," she took in the room and saw balloons, a banner and party hats.
"Don't worry love, you don't have to wear one of those," Keith grabbed her for a quick hug, handing a party hat to JJ and Freddie. Both put theirs on, and Naomi couldn't help but smile as Freddie rolled his eyes.
"So, drinks?" Keith asked, but didn't wait for a reply, knowing it would be in the affirmative. As they sat, three beers, six tequila shots and a bottle of vodka appeared on the table in front of them.
"Thanks Keith," Naomi raised her first tequila his way and he grinned in reply. He was a staple of Bristol, and he took some getting used to, but he really was a nice bloke if a little sexist at times. The way he was brought up, Naomi knew, and as long as you gave it back just as strongly he respected you for it. Over the years she had had some blazing rows with him over his inappropriate behaviour, but she knew it was wrong to hold a grudge when he really was getting better. She wasn't trying to change him completely, she knew that was futile, she just would like him to tone his remarks and jokes down.
Naomi turned to her two best friends and they all clinked glasses in a silent gesture to their missing friend, Cook. Freddie wrapped his arm around JJ, who dropped his head in sadness. Naomi let them have a moment before sliding over a second shot. JJ smiled just slightly as Freddie moved away, giving him some room. It was always best to let JJ know he still had people who cared for him, but they both knew that he also liked a few minutes to collect himself.
"So, don't see her," Naomi teased Freddie.
"She'll be here," Freddie replied, hoping the confidence he felt was a positive sign.
"Just don't look up in hope everytime the door opens," Naomi continued teasing him, but it was to calm her own nerves.
"Yeah, yeah."
"This is a fucking sorry looking party," a voice from behind Naomi remarked sarcastically.
Naomi turned, her face going from scowl to smile in a matter of seconds. Emily had come! She felt her heart rate increase, taking in Emily and what she was wearing. She had on a flowing black skirt that dropped past her knees, and emerald-looking ballet pumps. She wore a green button-down top with the sleeves rolled up just before her elbow, the buttons undone to show a tight black top underneath. The colours went wonderfully with her red hair which was straight and falling around her shoulders.
"Hi, I'm Katie. Katie Fitch," a buxom Katie went straight over to a very perplexed Freddie. He took her hand, but looked over to Naomi as if to say 'what the fuck?'
"I met Katie and Emily," Emily waved her hello at her introduction and waited for Naomi to continue, "I met them this afternoon and invited them out."
"Yeah, right, and where is this fucking party?" Katie demanded, smiling sweetly at Freddie.
"Breasts! Knockers! Tits! Nipples!" JJ exclaimed as Katie's ample cleavage rained down on him. He tired not to look, but she seemed to be encouraging it by leaning in even closer.
"Yeah, and you can't touch 'em. Just looking, yeah?" Katie patted JJ on the head like an obedient dog, which made him sink in the booth and made both Naomi and Freddie quite angry.
"Katie," Emily's warning voice did nothing to deter her sister. It seldom did, if she were to be honest.
"Don't worry about my sister," Katie said, pushing her way in closer to Freddie, "she's just jealous that I pull all the boys."
Naomi watched as Emily cringed at her sisters behaviour, wondering if Emily had to constantly justify how Katie behaved, and if she did, why did she put up with it?
"I'm not interested," Freddie told Katie, though she seemed not to hear him as she rubbed her chest up his arm.
Keith appeared with more beers and tequila, winking at Freddie as he set them down on the table.
"Keith, meet Emily and Katie Fitch," Naomi did the introductions, watching as Emily stood in the same place as she had when they first entered. Blushing when Emily's eyes caught hers, she tried to cover it by handing over a beer which Emily declined.
"Come on, it's my birthday," Naomi inwardly groaned at how whiny she sounded.
"I'll take a shot," Emily smiled, dropping her bag and pulling up a chair.
"That's my girl!" Naomi laughed, handing a shot over.
The party was starting to heat up. Naomi was drinking faster now, and she knew her nervousness around Emily was partly to blame. Emily had not moved from her spot next to Naomi, even as people began arriving. Naomi wagered the pub was near maximum capacity, and still no Effy or Pandora. Freddie was starting to get a bit down, she could tell he really believed she was going to come, it wasn't wishful thinking. She felt bad that she had neglected him and JJ since Emily had shown up, and that was about three and a half hours ago.
Emily had kept the conversation flowing, but all the topics were very safe. Naomi still knew next to nothing about her other than she was born here but moved away when she and Katie were four because their father was looking for a new career. He was apparently quite the fitness fanatic and had a chain of gyms around Britain, with Emily working at one in Liverpool. She lived with her mother and younger brother, while Katie floated between Liverpool and London where their father lived. Naomi had no idea what they were doing in Bristol. When she asked, Emily looked over to her sister who was chatting up a few Rovers Reserves players, and changed the subject.
Emily was great to talk to, and Naomi found herself really enjoying her party. She told Emily a little about her family life, how she struggled to maintain a good relationship with her mother. It surprised her she was opening up, but it seemed quite easy to do with Emily.
"Naomi!" Freddie hissed, his smile wide.
Naomi was very surprised. Effy and Pandora had arrived. She slapped Freddie on the shoulder, laughing with Emily as he fixed his hair before walking over to greet them.
"He's nice," Emily remarked, taking some of Naomi's beer.
"Been best mates since school. Met JJ and Cook a bit later, but we're all close," Naomi replied, waving at a very excited Pandora. Effy just nodded in her direction.
"Cook? I haven't met him," Emily looked around, but Naomi stopped her, laying her hand on the other girls wrist.
"He's not here. He's away," was all Naomi would offer.
"Happy birthday, Naomi. This looks pissin' excellent!" Pandora's hair was is in pigtails, and Naomi thought that suited her perfectly.
"Thanks Pandora. Hi to you both. Keith is at the bar, Freds," Naomi hinted to her friend.
"Huh? Oh yeah, right. Ladies, drinks?"
"Whizzer! Can I get a vodka and something Eff? What should I drink?"
"We'll have some tequila shots," Effy said quietly.
"Find somewhere to sit," Naomi offered, watching as Effy sized her up.
"I'm Emily."
Everyone made their introductions, Pandora sitting in the booth wide-eyed at the environment around her.
"This is like a club, only it's got no music like the stuff Thomas plays. Thomas is my boyfriend, he's wicked lush and is the d.j at the Rubin club, have you been there? It's loud and people are all sweaty, but the drinks are cheap and Thomas is really good, isn't he Effy?" Pandora took a breath, waving to whomever would look her way.
"Yeah, he's great, Panda," Effy replied, smiling.
"I'll have to check him out," Naomi smiled.
"You can't have him, he's mine. Loves me, and I love him."
"No, I meant – "
Naomi was cut off by Freddie's return. He tried taking a seat next to Effy, but she was sitting on the end and made no attempt to move, so he ended up sitting between Pandora and Naomi. Naomi patted his leg apologetically.
"So, Emily, your sister seems to be enjoying herself," Freddie said smiling.
"She always does," Emily replied a touch bitterly. She felt comforted by Naomi's smile though, and a warm feeling rushed through her body. She could get herself into trouble feeling so happy to be near Naomi. Excusing herself, she made her way over to her sister, trying desperately not to look over at Naomi.
Naomi watched as Emily almost ran over to her sisters side, confused by her departure. She didn't look like she was enjoying herself over there, yet she remained even as it clearly looked like Katie was making fun of her in some way. Maybe she had bored her long enough, and Emily was looking forward to going somewhere else? It made Naomi a little disappointed, she really wanted Emily to stay with her and keep talking.
"Let's go, Naomi," Freddie was standing with Effy and Pandora, holding his jacket and looking at her expectantly.
"Huh?" Naomi had no idea what was going on.
"To see Thomas. Panda says she can get us in for free." Freddie frowned, wondering what had his friend so spaced out.
"Thomas says it's totally cool. He'll meet us out the front." Pandora nodded.
"Can I bring two friends?" Naomi asked, catching Emily's eye. She had been trying to do that for sometime now, which is probably why she missed the conversation unfolding around her.
"Everyone can come, but only your friends can get in for free," Pandora explained.
"Okay." Naomi nodded, standing gingerly. Her foot was going to hurt quite a bit by nights end.
"Shit, your foot," Freddie winced in sympathy.
"It'll be fine."
"Okay, well I'm just going to walk JJ home, but I'll meet you at the club?" With a quick smile, Freddie was gone.
TBC ...
Thanks for reading.
